Tag Archives: Reindeer

Reindeer are also known as Caribou.

Svalbard Reindeer

Males reindeer are known as bulls. Female reindeer are known as cows. Young reindeer are known as calves. Both male and female reindeer have antlers. These are covered in velvet, which is shed annually.

Reindeer live in the Northern parts of North America including Canada and Alaska. They also live in Europe, Russia and Greenland… and of course, the North Pole with Santa!

Red Deer Santa’s Reindeer

Santa’s reindeer look like red deer when drawn – tall and slim; with long, slender antlers, a smooth brown coat, and small black hooves. In reality, reindeer are fairly short and stocky; with large, fairly broad antlers (the bigger the better); and wide, flat, split hooves.
The split hooves makes them a two-toed ungulate (such as sheep and camels, unlike horses).
The coats of reindeer vary from brown to grey/ white, and mixtures in between – usually white underneath.
The larger your antlers, the higher your rank within the group. The higher your rank within the group, means first dibs on important things such as food, shelter, and mates.